PC holds on to beat Marquette in double OT, 81-80

PROVIDENCE – In a game that took more twists and turns than a stock car race, the Providence Friars somehow found a way to win a game they absolutely had to grab Tuesday night at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.

PROVIDENCE — The Providence Friars put a new, unique twist on finding a way to win one of the more important games they’ve faced in years Tuesday night at a rocking Dunkin’ Donuts Center.

After appearing on the brink of a victory several times in the first 45 minutes over a tough, physical Marquette team, the Friars found themselves down by three points with 28 seconds to play in double overtime. But Marquette could not close the door.

A LaDontae Henton hoop made it 80-79 with nine seconds left. Marquette inbounded and was looking for a foul, but Jake Thomas was tied up. PC retained the ball on the jump ball and Marquette fouled Bryce Cotton on the inbounds pass with 7.2 showing on the clock. The senior star calmly made both free throws, giving the Friars a 81-80 lead.

When a Todd Mayo deep 3-pointer missed in the final second, the Friars had escaped. It is PC’s second win in four double-overtime games this season. PC wins its 20th game for the first time since 2004 and improves to 10-7 in the Big East. Marquette (17-13, 9-8) had beaten PC in 11 of the 12 times they’ve played since joining the Big East, but not on this night.

“I think we had the game won three different times in regulation and the first overtime and then were really fortunate to win in the second overtime,” said PC coach Ed Cooley.

Mayo led Marquette with 26 points, including four threes. Davante Gardner pounded his way inside for 15 points and 10 rebounds.

In a game of big plays and clutch shots, the biggest was a defensive scrum that forced the jump ball with eight seconds on the clock. Cooley said he instructed his players to look to force a tie-up or get a steal and not to foul. Marquette inbounded to Thomas, and while he looked for a foul, none came and a jump ball was called. PC executed a similar defensive maneuver in a double overtime win at St. John’s.

“Coach told us to try to put a trap on them, and the guy held the ball long enough for us to tie it up,” said Cotton.

When Derrick Wilson fouled Cotton on the inbounds pass, the senior went to the line with a clear mind.

“My grandmother always told me free throws can win or lose a game,” Cotton said. “It’s a position I’ve been in before. Our team has been through so many intense games all season long.”

The Friars should have won this one in regulation. Two timely four-point plays by Josh Fortune looked to put the home team in great shape. The first came with 8:45 to play and extended PC’s lead to 52-41. But Marquette charged right back with a 12-1 run to tie the game, 53-53.

Fortune’s second 3-pointer-plus-free throw came with 25 seconds left to wipe out a 56-55 Marquette lead and send the crowd into hysterics. But at the other end, Fortune somehow fouled Mayo beyond the 3-point line with 19 seconds to play. Mayo calmly made all three shots to tie the game at 59-59.

PC held for one shot and Cotton missed a contested jumper. Marquette’s Davante Gardner rebounded and fired an 85-foot prayer that found the net. The shot was originally ruled good but quickly overturned on review.

In the o.t., the Friars didn’t go up until Cotton made one of two free throws with 2:27 left. Fortune then drained another huge 3-pointer, this one for a 68-65 lead with 1:22 to play. At the other end, Jake Thomas hit his first basket of the game, a tying 3-pointer, with 1:04 left. Cotton hit a jumper with 47 seconds left for a 70-68 lead, but Mayo drained another 3-pointer to put the visitors up, 71-70.

Carson Desrosiers was fouled after a rebound with 12 seconds left. A 65-percent foul shooter, the big man hit the first shot to tie the game but missed the second. Mayo missed a deep 3-ball at the other end to send the game to a second overtime, where the Friars finally sent their fans home happy.